| Young players traditionally make a big impact at | | | | Unlikely to be an automatic starter in Javier |
| the World Cup; Pele in 1958 and Paul Gascoigne in | | | | Aguirre's first team, Barrera is set to be an |
| 1990 are just two famous examples. At the end | | | | impact substitute and has impressed in the recent |
| of a long hard season, young legs can make a | | | | warm-up games. |
| real difference allied with a mentality of wanting | | | | Nicolas Lodeiro (Uruguay, 20) The Uruguay front |
| to prove to the world that they have what it | | | | line of Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez have been |
| takes on the biggest stage of all. | | | | tipped to bang in the goals, but it is Lodeiro who |
| Below are 101greatgoals' tips for the 10 young | | | | will provide the ammunition for the celebrated |
| players likely to make a name for themselves at | | | | front pair. Has had a slow start to life in European |
| the 2010 World Cup. | | | | football with Ajax since a January move, but was |
| The criteria for inclusion are that the starlet must | | | | a sensation in his home country and was |
| be 23 or under and not already a world star, | | | | predictably nicknamed "The Uruguayan Messi". |
| hence theexclusion of Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas | | | | Sergio Romero (Argentina, 23) Diego Maradona's |
| and Nani. | | | | undisputed number one going into the World Cup |
| There are also some honourable mentions at the | | | | will be looking to show the form that saw him |
| bottom of the piece but feel free to add your | | | | play a key part in AZ Alkmaar's Eredivisie title win |
| tips in the comments. | | | | in 2008-09. Crucially the 6ft 3in custodian is adept |
| Simply click on the name for video evidence. | | | | at saving penalties, which could lift him to hero |
| Mesut Oezil (Germany, 21) It is no exaggeration | | | | status in the latter stages of the tournament. |
| to say that the Werder Bremen playmaker has | | | | Keisuke Honda (Japan, 23) In true Japanese |
| the ability to be as good as the very best, | | | | tradition, their bright young hope is a cultured |
| including Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Oezil | | | | midfield schemer. Honda rose to prominence in |
| has it all and was a major factor behind | | | | Holland with VVV Venlo and then impressed for |
| Germany's Under-21 European Championship win | | | | CSKA Moscow in the Champions League. Has an |
| last summer. Having contributed an incredible 19 | | | | excellent shot from distance and is also a fine |
| assists in the Bundesliga last season, Oezil is the | | | | set-piece taker. |
| key attacking player in Jogi Loew's team and he is | | | | Marek Hamsik (Slovakia, 22) Probably Slovakia's |
| unlikely to disappoint. | | | | most important player, Hamsik has been incredible |
| Pedro (Spain, 22) After scoring 20 goals for | | | | for Napoli in recent seasons and will likely get on |
| Barcelona last season and establishing a new | | | | the scoresheet in South Africa. He chipped in with |
| record of netting in six different competitions, | | | | 12 Serie A goals last season and 10 the year |
| Pedro could be a key player off the bench for | | | | before, and coming from deep he can cause |
| Spain in South Africa. Unlikely to start for Vicente | | | | havoc. |
| Del Bosque's side, Pedro has the natural flair and | | | | Gervinho (Ivory Coast, 23) The "Brazilian Elephant" |
| goalscoring ability to make an impact against tired | | | | was one of the best strikers in France last |
| opponents. Established himself in Pep Guardiola's | | | | season, impressing for Lille alongside another |
| all-conquering Barcelona side and has the | | | | starlet in Eden Hazard who won't be in South |
| momentum needed to be akey man for the | | | | Africa. Gervinho has all the qualities to frighten |
| European champions. | | | | even top quality defences like Brazil and Portugal, |
| Aaron Lennon (England, 23) The Spurs flyer | | | | but like many of the players on this list, he could |
| missed almost the whole of the second half of | | | | be used as an impact player if Didier Drogba or |
| the season, which should leave him fresh for the | | | | Aruna Dindane fail to score. |
| World Cup. Theo Walcott's omission means | | | | Honourable mentions: Lionel Messi (Argentina), |
| Lennon is now certain to start England's group | | | | Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Nani (Portugal), Simon |
| games and if he showcases his blistering pace, he | | | | Kjaer (Denmark), Jesus Navas (Spain), Alexandre |
| should set up plenty of goals for Rooney, Crouch | | | | Song (Cameroon), Nicolas Otamendi (Argentina), |
| and company. Hasoften been criticised for failing | | | | Angel Di Maria (Argentina), Luis Suarez (Uruguay), |
| to score goals and his wayward crossing, but this | | | | Christian Eriksen (Denmark) and Michael Bradley |
| was evidently improved in the first half of | | | | (USA). |
| 2009-10. | | | | If you were wondering how to get to the Fifa |
| Alexis Sanchez (Chile, 21) Nicknamed "Wonderboy" | | | | World Cup, hosted by South Africa in 2010, this is |
| as well as the "Chilean Lionel Messi", Sanchez is | | | | the place to find out.You can buy your favourite |
| the creative fulcrum in a Chile side that could well | | | | Italy World Cup football tickets online through our |
| surprise in South Africa. He has impressed for | | | | secure and guaranteed online booking is the most |
| Udinese over the past two seasons after moving | | | | specialized and fully dedicated football ticket |
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| Pablo Barrera (Mexico, 22) The Pumas UNAM | | | | Tickets,World Cup Semi Final Tickets and World |
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